"Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

Sep 26, 2009 12:29 PM

by twinmommy+2

With the H1N1 pandemic spreading rapidly, hundreds of thousands of doctors, nurses, orderlies and other U.S. health-care workers for the first time are being required to get flu shots, drawing praise from many public-health authorities but condemnation from some employees, unions and other critics who object to mandatory vaccination.

One of the nation's most populous states, the country's largest hospital chain and the Washington area's biggest private health-care system are among those ordering influenza inoculation for health-care employees this year, along with a growing list of medical centers and clinics coast to coast.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...092503854.html

dannyc12 · Sep 26, 2009, 10:34 PM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

Again, we happily get mandatory hepatitis and other vaccines, but because of recent hysteria over vaccines and health care reform, suddenly getting a flu shot when there is a particularly nasty strain out and about is a bad idea.

The efficacy of flu (and other) vaccines has a massive trail of evidence and data supporting it. There are plenty of good, sound, evidence based reasons to mandate this vaccination.

HeartsOpenWide · Sep 26, 2009, 10:45 PM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

If we do not get our flu shots then we have to wear a mask for the ENTIRE FLU SEASON. And if one of our family members has flu like symptoms we have to wear a mask for a week. I like that they are taking precautions, but what is this going to make our patients think seeing their nurses wearing masks because they might have been exposed to the flu despite the flu vaccinations; especially in my department of labor and delivery, no one will want me to be their or their babies nurse if I am wearing a mask!...yet at the same time they want us to re-use or N95 if they are not "visibly soiled or bent"...

JoPACURN · Sep 26, 2009, 11:09 PM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

Originally Posted by dannyc12

Again, we happily get mandatory hepatitis and other vaccines, but because of recent hysteria over vaccines and health care reform, suddenly getting a flu shot when there is a particularly nasty strain out and about is a bad idea.

The efficacy of flu (and other) vaccines has a massive trail of evidence and data supporting it. There are plenty of good, sound, evidence based reasons to mandate this vaccination.

There are NO mandatory vaccines, unless you are in the military. There is always a way to get out of them.

susanthomas1954 · Sep 26, 2009, 11:40 PM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

People in my age group are not getting the h1n1, and I think they need to concentrate on people who are at risk. Seriously, most health care professionals have developed immune systems that can deal with anything out there.
I have never had a vaccine as an adult, and my children got all the way through public school with me very vocally keeping the "rules" in perspective. As it turns out, the rule for our district was that unvaccinated students had to stay home from school if there was an outbreak of any disease that required vaccines. They never got to stay home one day in 16 years from that rule.
Probably some at risk populations should get the H1N1 vaccine, but not me. Now, my sons are 23 and 26, and I would certainly support them if they decided to get it, as they are in university settings for classes. Neither lives on campus. It's always a PERSONAL decision, and if one DECIDES based on fact, instead of pressure from an employer or school, that makes sense.
ST

psalm · Sep 27, 2009, 12:02 AM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

Originally Posted by HeartsOpenWide

If we do not get our flu shots then we have to wear a mask for the ENTIRE FLU SEASON. And if one of our family members has flu like symptoms we have to wear a mask for a week. I like that they are taking precautions, but what is this going to make our patients think seeing their nurses wearing masks because they might have been exposed to the flu despite the flu vaccinations; especially in my department of labor and delivery, no one will want me to be their or their babies nurse if I am wearing a mask!...yet at the same time they want us to re-use or N95 if they are not "visibly soiled or bent"...

Regarding reusing the N95: It's a No-No!! Check out the site below. I hope I copied it correctly. Send an email to your nm and infectious control doctors with this info.

Page Title: Masks and N95 Respirators
Web Page URL: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Pr.../ucm055977.htm

*CraigB-RN* · Sep 27, 2009, 08:02 AM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

Originally Posted by psalm

Regarding reusing the N95: It's a No-No!! Check out the site below. I hope I copied it correctly. Send an email to your nm and infectious control doctors with this info.

Page Title: Masks and N95 Respirators
Web Page URL: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Pr.../ucm055977.htm

You might want to do a little more research before you make a No-No post.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/con...ep0309iom.html

The thing to remember though is that the N95 only works to protect the person wearing it, it doesn't protect us from the person spreading the organism whether it's H1No or TB.

*krazykev* · Sep 27, 2009, 08:52 AM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

The day that I am required to get a mandatory Flu Shot from my employer is the day that I find another employer. No person, or place is going to tell me what to put in my body. If I wanted to give up my choices, I would have joined the military.

FLArn · Sep 27, 2009, 09:16 AM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

One major difference between the flu and Hep B is that you can (and most people do) get over the flu but once you get Hep B you've got it! Also the Hep B vaccine is OPTIONAL you can sign a waiver so the comparison really doesn't hold. Getting the flu vaccine DOESN'T mean you won't get the flu just that that strain may not hit you as hard and doesn't protect at all for strains not in the vaccine. I've never been one to get colds, etc. so I like my odds.

cjmjmom · Sep 27, 2009, 09:18 AM

Re: "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

Citizens in this country should be able to CHOOSE if they want any additive put in their body or not, not mandated! This is the United States of America not a dictatorship. Last I knew health care workers were citizens and have the same rights as other people who live in this country.

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"Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

"Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance"

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